Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D11/00—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material
  • B65D11/18—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material collapsible, i.e. with walls hinged together or detachably connected
  • B65D11/1833—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material collapsible, i.e. with walls hinged together or detachably connected whereby all side walls are hingedly connected to the base panel
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
  • B65D85/30—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for articles particularly sensitive to damage by shock or pressure
  • B65D85/305—Bottle-crates

Definitions

• the present invention relates to crates for handling goods.
• the present invention relates to crates in which non-self-supporting packages, such as liquid or solid dairy products, bread or other fast moving consumer goods, are transported, stored and displayed.
• the present invention relates to a crate and a supply and merchandising method according to the preamble portions of claims 1 and 15, respective- ly.
• the current trend of streamlining supply chains reverberates directly to the spatial and functional efficiency of the tools used in transporting goods from manufacturers or re- packers to consumers.
• optimise the logistics of the supply chain to include as few handling steps as possible and to also rationalise reverse logistics, i.e. returning dollies, pallets and such back to the manufacturer or repacker.
• the tools used in present-day logistics of consumer products include cell trays, prismatic crates of different sorts, dollies, pallets, and such.
• Cell trays are mostly suited for transporting products, which can withstand external vertical loads so that products, such as beverage bottles, are loaded onto the trays, which can be then stacked on top of each other.
• Cell trays are a very advantageous way of transporting sturdy containers, since they take up very little space and enable handling by forklift.
• crates are typically collapsible or they have a rigid frame.
• the rigid frame crates usually have a bottom piece, to which is fixed four opposing side walls that have handles of some sort.
• crates having four foldable walls are also known, wherein the four walls are foldable for collapsing the crate so that the crate takes up minimal space during return logistics.
• the aim of the present invention is to solve at least some of the above identified prob- lems of the prior art and to provide an improved crate for transporting and handling non- self-supporting containers as well as a method for supplying and displaying products.
• a collapsible crate having two lateral walls and a supporting frame member engaged to support the walls is rigid enough for transporting most non- self-supporting products, such as liquid and solid consumer products, like dairy, bakery or beverage packages, or components, like individual parts or sub-assemblies, for other branches of industry.
• non- self-supporting products such as liquid and solid consumer products, like dairy, bakery or beverage packages, or components, like individual parts or sub-assemblies, for other branches of industry.
• the crate comprises a quadrilateral tray, which forms the bottom of the crate, and at least two lateral walls connected pivotably to opposite edges of the tray.
• the walls are, on the one hand, pivotable into an erect position for operational mode of the crate, wherein the lateral walls are or- thogonal to the tray and define a space for the contents.
• the walls are, on the other hand, pivotable into a folded position for return mode of the crate, wherein the lateral walls are parallel to the tray.
• the crate further comprises at least one supporting frame member, which is adaptable to a laterally supporting position between the erected lateral walls on one lateral side of the crate so that at least one lateral side is left open.
• the supporting frame member is also adaptable to a folded position, wherein the supporting frame member is parallel the tray.
• the supporting frame member is a third lateral wall, wherein the crate comprises three foldable lateral walls adapted pivotably to corresponding three separate edges of the tray.
• One lateral side and the top side of the crate are therefore open when the lateral walls are in the erect position.
• the supporting frame member is an open rectangular frame-like piece, which comprises two side portions connected pivotably to an edge piece of the tray and one top portion connecting the side portions.
• the top portion and the side portions define an open zone, whereby the side of the crate is left open.
• the crate comprises two suh frame members, which are adapted on opposite edge pieces of the tray.
• the crate according to the invention is characterized by what is stated in the characterizing portion of claim 1.
• the method according to the invention is based on the concept of sup- plying and merchandising products, where products are loaded into a crate having at least two foldable lateral walls and a laterally supporting frame member connecting the two walls, where after the crate is transported to a place of commerce, where the containers are exhibited to the customers at first hand in the crate. Emptied crates are collapsed by folding the walls to a folded position for benefiting return logistics. More specifically, the method according to the invention is characterized by what is stated in the characterizing portion of claim 15.
• the novel structure comprises two foldable side walls and a supporting frame member sup- porting the two, one lateral side of the crate is open, whereby the contents are exhibited within the crate even when the crates are stacked. Since the contents are visible from the crate, the contents do not necessarily have to be shelved or further handled prior to exposure to end user. As a result, the crate stacks can be transported directly accessible to the end user. Indeed, the invention provides for reduced need for in-store handling and shelving from crates, high display value and consumer convenience compared to known structures.
• the novel foldable three wall structure also provides sufficiently secure, stabile, rigid and convenient handling and the contents of the crate can be loaded as well as unloaded by using both the lateral and upper opening in the crate. Furthermore, the folding walls significantly reduce the need of space for empty crates compared to rigid frame crates, for example.
• the collapsing feature of the crate results in high, about 3 to 1, nesting efficiency in return logistics and warehousing of empty crates.
• Fig. 1 presents an isometric view of a crate according to one embodiment of the present invention
• Fig. 2 presents an isometric view of the crate of Fig. 1 loaded with dairy product containers
• Fig. 3 presents an isometric view of the crate of Fig. 1 in a partially folded position
• Fig. 4 presents an isometric view of the crate of Fig. 1 in a folded position
• Fig. 5 presents a rear isometric view of the crate of Fig. 1,
• Fig. 6 presents an isometric view of a plurality of crates of Fig. 4 stacked on top of each other,
• Fig. 7 presents an isometric view of a stack of crates of Fig. 2 loaded onto a dolly
• Fig. 8 presents an isometric view of a crate of Fig. 1 equipped with a cover sheet
• Fig. 9 presents an isometric rear view of a crate according to another embodiment of the invention
• Fig. 10 presents an isometric rear view of a crate of Fig. 9 in a partially folded position
• Fig. 11 presents an isometric frontal view of a crate according to yet another embodiment of the invention.
• the invention provides a novel collapsible crate, which features a quadrilateral tray forming the bottom of the crate.
• the crate also comprises at least two lateral walls, which are adapted pivotably to separate edges of the tray so that the lateral walls are pivotable into a folded position and into an erect position.
• the crate assumes a return mode, whereby the crate is collapsed for minimizing space consumption in return logistics.
• the crate assumes an operational mode, whereby the lateral walls define a space for the contents of the crate.
• the walls are essentially orthogonal in relation to the tray.
• the crate further comprises at least one supporting frame member other than the tray.
• the supporting frame member is adapted to be pivoted to a supporting position, wherein the supporting frame member provides lateral support between two erected opposing lateral walls.
• the at least one supporting frame member is also adapted to be pivoted to a folded position, wherein it flanks the lateral walls in a folded position.
• the supporting and folded positions of the supporting frame member contribute respectively to the operational and return modes of the crate.
• the crate 1 has four major pieces, which form a prismatic transportation and display platform.
• the crate 1 according to the invention can be designed to an arbitrary size, but the dimensions are preferably selected to optimize the occupation of local transportation pallets, dollies (Fig. 7) and such as well as to provide a suitable fit for a certain amount of the intended contents.
• the crate 1 can be manufactured from a vast number of materials using a wide selection of manufacturing techniques. However, catering for low manufacturing costs in high production volume, a preferable material would be an injection moulded polymer, such as polyethylene or polypropylene.
• the crate 1 is manufactured from high tensile steel wire, which is braid to form mesh profiles that are assembled to form the crate 1.
• the tray 10 acts as a chassis to which the other components are attached.
• the tray 10 has a quadrilateral, preferably rectangular, plate-like mesh 11, which is flanked by four interconnected edge pieces 6, 7, 8, 9 (Figs. 1 and 5).
• the mesh 11 is a bottom piece, onto which the non-self-supporting containers are loaded.
• non-self- supporting refers to structures that have sufficient rigidity for only supporting their own weight and contents, i.e. non-self-supporting bodies cannot withstand significant external forces and are therefore not intended to be stacked on top of each other. For this reason cell trays cannot be applied to non-self-supporting bodies, which is the case in, for exam- pie, dairy product packages (Fig. 2), tea bag boxes, packets of crisps and such.
• the crate 1 according to the invention is naturally applicable also to other kinds of pieces, i.e. supporting containers such bottles, the invention is especially suitable for non-self- supporting containers.
• the mesh 11 is flanked by edge pieces 6, 7, 8, 9 which are interconnected at the corners of the quadrilateral tray 10.
• the corners of the tray 10 are preferably rounded or chamfered to avoid sharp external edges.
• the edge pieces 6, 7, 8, 9 can be provided in several alternative ways.
• the edge pieces 6, 7, 8, 9 are made to form an enclosure-like structure, which has been provided with vertical through holes. The pieces are open from the top and bottom and have inner and outer partitions, to the middle of which has been provided lathing for improved rigidity. This embodiment is advantageous for manufacturing reasons.
• the edge pieces 6, 7, 8, 9 have a sandwich structure for superior rigidity in other applications requiring such robust endurance.
• the structure can be hollow with assisting gas within the cavity.
• the front edge piece 6 and the rear edge piece 8 have a thicker structure than the first and second lateral edge pieces 7, 9 that connect the former two.
• the edge pieces 6, 7, 8, 9 are preferably equipped with means for positioning and securing neighbouring crates 1 to each other.
• the outer faces of the edge pieces 6, 7, 8, 9 of the crate 1 are provided with groove sets 12, 13, 14, 15.
• front edge piece 6 and the rear edge piece 8 have a female side locking groove set 12 and a male side locking groove set 13.
• the groove sets 12, 13, 14, 15 are a plurality banded protrusions, which form grooves between them.
• the groove sets 12, 13 are mirrored between the front and the rear edge piece 6, 8 so that when a plurality of crates 1 are aligned sequentially, the female groove set 12 of the front edge piece 6 of the latter crate 1 engages with the male groove set 13 of the rear edge piece 8 of the former crate, and vice versa.
• the lateral edge pieces 7, 9 are provided with equivalent groove sets 14, 15, in which the female groove set 14 has two nested protrusions, between which is a groove for receiving a corresponding male groove set 15, which is a rectangular protrusion.
• the means for positioning and securing neighbouring crates 1 to each other may also have other manifestations according to the invention.
• the crate 1 comprises three fold- able lateral walls 20, 30, 40, which define a space there between for the contents 50 of the crate 1 (Figs. 1 and 2).
• the two opposing walls are referred to as the first and second side wall 20, 40, respectively.
• the wall connecting the first and second side wall 20, 40 is referred to as the rear wall 30.
• the rear wall 30, therefore, forms the pivotable supporting frame member, which provides lateral support for the first and second side wall 20, 40 and is foldable for return mode.
• the rear wall 30 engages with the first and second wall 20, 40 with the purpose of preventing the walls 20, 40 from folding in.
• the fourth side which is referred to as the frontal side, is therefore exposed.
• the fast front edge piece 6 of the tray 10 is elevated from the mesh 11 so that the front edge piece 6 supports the contents of the crate 1 from the front.
• the front edge 6 is lower than any of the walls 20, 30, 40.
• the front edge piece 6 has a height at most 50 per cent of that of any of the walls 20, 30, 40.
• the front edge piece 6 preferably has a height matching at least the height of the lateral walls 20, 30, 40 when they are folded on top of each other, i.e. the crate 1 is collapsed.
• a front edge piece 6 of described height therefore provides protection for the folded walls 20, 30, 40 when, for example, empty crates 1 are stacked on top of each other.
• the front side of the crate 1 is not completely exposed from the mesh 11 up, it is, in this context, considered to be open because it is not covered by a wall but rather by a edge piece of the tray at the bottom, whereby the contents of the crate 1 is exposed so that the contents can be re- moved from the crate 1 through the side in question.
• the side opposing the mesh 11 of the tray 10, i.e. the top side is also open.
• the walls 20, 30, 40 can be constructed in several ways. According to the embodiment illustrated in the accompanying drawings, the walls 20, 30, 40 are plates made of an undulated profile, which provides outstanding structural rigidity. The walls 20, 30, 40 are pivotably connected to the tray 10, in particular to the corresponding edge piece 6, 7, 8,
• the hinges 19 are integrated hinges, which consist of a thin film of the same material as the tray 10 and walls 20, 30, 40.
• the integrated hinges therefore provide a continuous pivoting connection between the walls 20, 30, 40 and the tray 10.
• the hinged connection can also be ac- complished in an alternative suitable manner. Due to said hinged connection, the walls 20, 30, 40 are foldable to a folded position and to an erect position in respect to the tray
• the walls 20, 30, 40 can be folded down parallel to the mesh 11, wherein the crate 1 is collapsed, or the walls 20, 30, 40 can be pivoted to an erect position, wherein the crate 1 is assembled.
• the edge pieces 7, 8, 9 are designed to be of different height so that hinges 19 are on different heights, whereby both side walls 20, 40, for example, fit under the folded rear wall 30.
• the first lateral edge piece 7 connected to the first side wall 20 is elevated at a distance from the mesh 11 corresponding to the thickness of the second side wall 40.
• the walls 20, 30, 40 of the crate 1 are provided with apertures 21, 31 for accommodating engagement with an external gripper or suchlike.
• the apertures 21, 31 are designed so that, they conform to the local material handling equipment, such as a specific type of grippers used for automatic handling.
• Apertures are preferably also provided to enable easy grabbing by hand (see horizontal apertures in side walls 20, 40).
• the free ends of the lateral walls 20, 30, 40 are further equipped with locking pieces 16, which are adapted to engage to corresponding recesses (not shown) in the bottom face of the tray 10.
• the locking pieces 16 have two functions. The first function is to position and secure crates 1 to each other when crates 1 are stacked on top of each other (Fig. 7). The second function is to provide rigidity to the crate 1, when crates 1 are stacked on top of each other. In fact, with the aid of the locking pieces, it is possible to provide a quadrilateral support for a trilateral crate, when the crates 1 are stacked.
• the tray 10 of the upper crate 1 acts as an additional stiffening ceiling piece for the lower crate 1.
• the side walls 20, 40 are preferably equipped with brackets (not shown), which are adapted to lock into corresponding receptive openings (not shown) in the rear wall 30.
• the locking piece arrangement further provides for a possibility of stacking crates 1 according to the invention as well as other cargo handling equipment, such as cell trays, having appropriate locking pieces and recesses in the bottom surface. This possibility significantly improves the flexibility and efficiency of transport systems.
• the crate 1 is equipped with an external cover sheet 70 (Fig. 8) for protecting the contents and sealing the crate 1.
• the cover sheet 70 can be made of card board and applied to the cage 1 upon loading it. It is preferably provided with holes for easy removal.
• the cover sheet 70 is removed for displaying the contents and for providing access to the crate 1.
• the cover sheet 70 is preferably adapted to engage with a shape of the crate 1 so that the cover sheet 70 seals the crate 1 for indicating the integrity of the contents.
• a shape could be vertical grooves on the inner front surfaces of the first and second lateral wall 20, 40, into which grooves the cover sheet can be slid.
• the applied cover sheet 70 can be used to protect the contents from external influences such as dust or dirt.
• edged cover sheet 70 can be used for forming multiple layers within the crate in a case, where the contents are short enough.
• the cover sheets 70 can be attached to the crate 1 by shape joints, by gluing or by other attachment methods.
• the crate 1 is especially suitable for transporting and displaying non-self-supporting containers 50, such as dairy products, e.g. milk cartons.
• Crates 1 are preferably stored in a collapsed position before they are loaded with the intended contents (Figs. 4 and 6).
• the walls 20, 30, 40 Prior to loading, the walls 20, 30, 40 are pivoted to an erect position, whereupon they are locked to each other through the engagement of the locking brackets of the side walls 20, 40 and the openings of the rear wall 30 (Fig. 3).
• the con- tents can be inserted by descending the containers 50 vertically into the crate 1 or capitalizing the open frontal side of the crate 1 (Fig. 2).
• Loaded crates 1 can be conveyed onto pallets, dollies 60 (Fig. 7) or other transportation platforms with suitable means. According to one embodiment the loaded crates 1 are transported by using a gripper, which engages with the apertures 21, 31 of the walls 20, 30, 40. Once the crates 1 are loaded onto dollies 60 or alike, they are transported to be displayed and ultimately sold, whereby the crates 1 do not have to be unloaded. Thanks to the open frontal side of the crate 1, the products 50 can be sold straight off the crate 1. When the crates 1 are stacked on top of each other (Fig. 7), the consumer is able to select any one of the containers 50 without having to dismantle the stack.
• the first stack of crates 1 may be sold out, where after the first stack is removed or the dolly 60 is turned around, thus exposing a new stack of full crates 1 , providing the stacks are built back-to- back.
• a crate 1 is empty, it is easily collapsed by pivoting the walls 20, 30, 40 into a folded position, as illustrated in Fig. 6. Because the crates 1 are collapsible on top of the tray 10, they require very little space and, on the other hand, can be loaded onto a similar dolly 60 for the return route. This is particularly advantageous, since the collapsed crates 1 leave a similar foot print as the assembled crates 1 , while requiring less height.
• the above-described embodiment featuring two opposing lateral walls 20, 40 and a rear wall 30 acting as a supporting frame member is one advantageous way of implementing the invention.
• the supporting frame member 30 can be provided with an open rectangular frame-like piece made, for example, from a single bent high-tensile steel wire.
• the supporting frame member 30 according to the embodiment is considered open because, while in an erect position, the lateral side in question is left open.
• the frame-like member 30 features only the edges of a wall, whereby the portions define an open zone within.
• the supporting frame member 30 according to the embodiment has two side portions, which are connected pivotably to the tray 10, and one top portion, which connects the side portions.
• the supporting frame member 30 is pivotable to a folded position, wherein it is folded down to flank the tray 10, and to a supporting position, wherein it is erected to an essentially 90 degree angle to the tray 10.
• the supporting position therefore, corresponds to the erected position of the lateral walls 20, 40.
• the corners between the side portions and the top portion of the supporting frame member 30 engage with the rear faces of the opposing first and second lateral wall 20, 40. These faces are preferably equipped with a receiving groove for accommodating the pieces of the member 30.
• the support- ing frame member 30 provides lateral support for the lateral walls 20, 40, wherein the member 30 prevents the walls 20, 40 from folding down, while leaving two lateral sides of the crate 1 open.
• the lateral walls 20, 40 are folded down normally, after or before which the supporting frame member 30 is folded down to flank the tray 10 or a folded wall 20, 40.
• the bottom ends of the vertical portions of the member are preferably bent in a 90 degree angle and adapted to corresponding receiving holes in the tray 10 (Figs. 9 and 10). This insertion fit provides a joint, about which the member 30 is pivotable to the folded and supporting position.
• a similar joint structure may also be constructed in an alternative way without departing from the scope of the present invention.
• the member 30 can alternatively be pivotably adapted either of the lateral walls 20, 40, whereby the member 30 would comprise only the horizontal top portion.
• the top portion of the member 30 can be pivotably attached to the terminal end of either lateral wall 20, 40.
• the other lateral wall 20, 40 would correspondingly have a receiving slot for accommodating the terminal end of the top portion of the member 30.
• the supporting frame member 30 can also have other embodiments within the scope of the present invention.
• the crate 1 comprises two supporting frame members 30 illustrated in Figs. 9 and 10. Because the frame members 30 do not cover the sides of the crate 1, on which they are adapted, two sides of the crate 1 are left open.
• the supporting frame members 30 are provided as described above and are adapted to be pivoted on the one hand to a folded position and on the other hand to a supporting position, wherein the lateral walls 20, 40 are supported laterally from two sides.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Rigid Containers With Two Or More Constituent Elements (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=43899862

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Families Citing this family (11)

Citations (1)

Family Cites Families (7)

• 2009
  • 2009-10-19 AU AU2009227869A patent/AU2009227869A1/en not_active Abandoned
• 2010
  • 2010-10-14 WO PCT/FI2010/050798 patent/WO2011048259A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2010-10-14 EP EP10824511.9A patent/EP2490954A4/de not_active Withdrawn

Patent Citations (1)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

Also Published As

Similar Documents

Legal Events